This thesis explores how gender can affect experiences of health and illness, with the
understanding that gender is constructed differently across the life course, and is
mediated by 'race' and class relations in Britain. Research was conducted with a small
sample of informants drawn from African-Caribbean community groups in east
London, using focus groups and in-depth interviews. Findings are three-fold. First,
participation in health research itself was problematic for informants, relating directly
to their experiences of personal and institutional racism in Britain. Evidence showed
that these experiences encouraged informants to use public accounts of health and
illness when more structured research methods were used. In-depth interviews
encouraged informants to develop more private accounts of their illness experiences.
A second finding was that social relations and low social status were often implicated
in private accounts as contributing factors to illness. Women and men felt that
racialised experiences, especially in the workplace, were problematic for black people
collectively. Older female informants also connected personal health problems to their
efforts in fulfilling the more traditional expectations of women in the home, family
and workplace. Finally there is evidence that women and men have developed a
variety of strategies to mediate the impact that social circumstances may have on their
health. Some strategies influenced the way that illness discourses themselves were
constructed, whilst others focused on building self-esteem through Caribbean or Black
identity, or through developing a sense of 'self. ' Besides these findings, the
methodology of this study is discussed. This was developed in response to the
sensitive nature of the racialised research context. Key concerns have been to develop
trust and rapport with informants, and to offer them the opportunity to comment
critically on this research project and its findings. It was felt that this approach
enhanced the insight into informants' reporting and understandings of health and
illness. Conclusions of this research have theoretical, methodological and policy
implications. Most topical are implications relevant to east London's Health Action
Zone strategy. There are specific recommendations for understanding the mental
health needs for African-Caribbean communities, and for developing appropriate ways
to involve these communities in this initiative and offering them better access to
information.